Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

188 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE1852. loss ;but while the Major- General deeply regretsthe loss of the valiant soldiers, and the wounds ofhis gallant officers and men, he attributes thecomparativelysmall loss to the manner in whichthe enemy was charged, checked, and driven backwhen pressing on in great force, although withevery advantage of ground.The Major-Generalwill bring the gallant conduct of the troops onthis occasion under the notice of the Commander*in-Chief."At this point in the history of the 91st, it isnecessary to passfor a shorttime from the incidentsof the Kaffir War, and narrate an actionwhich furnishes one of the most glorious exampleson record of the triumph of military disciplineover the love of dear life itself.On the 7th of January, 1852, the iron paddletroopship Birkenhead, of 1400 tons and 556 horsepower,commanded byMaster Commander RobertSalmond, sailed from the coast of Cork, bound forthe Cape of Good Hope, with detachments from thedepots of ten regiments,all under command ofLieutenant-Colonel Seton, of the 74th Highlanders.Altogether there were on board about 631 persons,including a crew of 132, the rest being soldierswith their wives and children.Of the soldiers, a